Representation of the Electorate

The essence of the Westminster system is that the government is drawn from the party or parties that control the lower house. The government holds office for so long as it is able to retain the support - confidence - of the House.

Australia's Federal Parliament is a bicameral (two houses) legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Representation of the Australian nation is achieved in a number of ways through the Federal Parliament. Some of these forms of representation conflict with others, providing for a dynamism in the political process.

• Direct Representation of the Population
  At present there are 148 members of the House of Representatives, each representing a single member electorate. Each electorate contains approximately 80,000 voters. The states are represented in the House in accordance with their population. The use of single-member electorates in the House of Representatives means that every person in the country is represented by one member of parliament. These electorates are defined geographical areas, arranged according to population.

  After the 2001 federal election, each state is represented as shown in the table:

  Representation in the House of Representatives
  State/Territory	Number of Seats
  New South Wales	50
  Victoria	37
  Queensland	27
  Western Australia	15
  South Australia	12
  Tasmania	5
  Australian Capital Territory	2
  Northern Territory	2
  Total	150

• Representation of the States
  The States are represented equally in the Senate, regardless of size or population, in accordance with Section 7 of the Constitution. Originally, in 1901, each State had six senators. This was increased to 10 in 1949, and then to 12 in 1984. Senators serve fixed 6-year terms from July 1 to June 30.

  In the 1970s, the two territories were given two senators each. They serve the same term as members of the House of Representatives.

  Representation in the Senate
  State/Territory	Number of Seats
  New South Wales	12
  Victoria	12
  Queensland	12
  Western Australia	12
  South Australia	12
  Tasmania	12
  Australian Capital Territory	2
  Northern Territory	2
  Total	76

  Whereas a vacancy in the House of Representatives (caused by the death, resignation, expulsion or disqualification of the member) is filled at a by-election, a Senate vacancy is filled by the relevant State Parliament, in accordance with Section 15 of the Constitution.